Zimbabwe’s education system is making deliberate strides to align learning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), embedding global priorities into the national curriculum as the country advances towards Vision 2030.
This commitment was highlighted at the SDGs Schools Proposal Writing Competitions National Awards Ceremony held in Harare on Thursday, where learners from across the country were honoured for innovative projects designed to solve real-life challenges in their communities. The competition not only celebrated academic achievement but also showcased the capacity of young Zimbabweans to think critically and provide practical solutions to some of society’s pressing issues.
Projects ranged from water harvesting technologies to climate-smart agriculture and waste management. “I learnt that as young people, we must think outside the box. I created an underground basement to solve the water challenges in my city, Bulawayo,” said Vanessa Gumbo, one of the participants. Another learner, Zvikomborero Gochera, explained, “I came up with an idea to turn kitchen waste into organic fertiliser. This competition opened our minds.”
The competition, jointly organised by the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, is intended to sharpen skills and nurture the human capital needed for Zimbabwe’s transformation into an upper middle-income society by 2030.
Honourable Edgar Moyo, Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, described the programme as a model of inclusivity in national development. “This inclusive approach ensures no one and no place is left behind in the nation’s development agenda,” he said. Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Honourable Angeline Gata, underscored the initiative’s role in preparing young people for leadership. “We are moulding future leaders. We have been successful in providing quality education in line with the SDGs,” she noted.
The event drew students from all ten provinces, who were recognised with certificates and computers for projects that addressed themes such as clean energy, climate action, and innovation for sustainable industry.
Launched in May this year, the SDGs Schools Proposal Writing Competitions represent a pioneering effort to raise awareness of the UN’s 17 global goals among Zimbabwean youth while equipping them with problem-solving skills rooted in practical application. By entrenching these principles into education, Zimbabwe is laying the foundation for a generation of leaders who can navigate global challenges with local solutions, ensuring that the pursuit of Vision 2030 is both inclusive and sustainable.
